Hayden's Heart

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Prologue

England, 1796

Captain Rutherford sat back in the wicker garden chair, sipping his tea slowly and watched his sons playing with the duchess De Winter’s twin sons. She was taking her family back to America to live with her parents, now that the hostilities between their two countries had ended. Captain Rutherford looked over at Azure De Winter and sighed mentally, she was a very lovely woman and he would miss the visits with his friend’s wife and family. He sons would also miss the De Winter boys as they had all become great friends, spending many hours together in rough play every visit. He took another sip of his tea and watched his second eldest son, Hayden, and the duchess’ young daughter walk off towards the rose garden together.

Hayden had befriended the duchess’ little daughter Ashling, and though the pair were unlikely friends, Hayden being seven years older than the girl, they were inseparable at every visit. The Captain smiled as he watched the little five-year-old girl wrap her hand about one of Hayden’s fingers and follow his tall lanky son off into the gardens. In addition to the great difference in their ages was the fact that Ashling was a good foot and a half shorter than his son. Ashling was all golden smiles and laughter framed by bright red gold curls and Hayden was extremely quiet and thoughtful, almost taciturn at times.

Captain Rutherford had asked Hayden on several occasions why he preferred to play with the little girl, than sport about with her brothers, and to the question the answer was always the same, that she made him laugh and that she would listen to everything he had to say without question or judgment. Hayden had even given her a pet name, Ash, saying that Ashling was too grand a name for such a tiny person. Ashling in turn simply called Hayden, Den, as she seemed unable to say his full name.

“Ashling is not taking the idea of leaving very well, she will miss your son a great deal I fear.” The duchess’ gentle voice drew the Captain from his musings and he looked over at Azure De Winter, and as always was startled and amazed by the color of her huge azure eyes.

“Yes, and Hayden will miss her too I fear. I had though to put an end to their friendship before this, but it is so harmless, and they have such a genuine affection for each other, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.” Captain Rutherford leaned forward and set his cup of tea down on the wicker table before him, and gave the Duchess a quick smile. “This will sound mad no doubt but I had begun to think that those two would marry one day, they are such good friends, and Hayden has such an affection for Ashling, it is silly I know.”

The duchess smiled and nodded her head in agreement, bright copper curls bouncing as she did. “No, I to had the same strange thought. Hayden is a very sensitive boy, I think he likes Ashling’s company because despite her tender age she is very sympathetic, and listens to what Hayden has to say.” The duchess lifted the teapot and motioned towards the Captain’s teacup, and he shook his head.

“Can you not change your mind and stay in England, or at least wait till Beaufort returns before you leave for America?” Captain Rutherford asked slowly, and saw the duchess shake her head no.

“No, my parents are ill and I must return home as soon as I can, though it grieves me to leave without seeing Beaufort again, I have sent him several letters. When he returns to England, will you look after him till I return?” The duchess sat back in her own chair and took a sip of tea. “I do not like his step brother Jasper, he makes my flesh crawl when ever I am in the same room with him, I know it is silly but I have this strange feeling that he wishes to do harm to Beaufort. Silly I know.”

The Captain shook his head, “No, I too don’t like the man. I will do my best Azure, but I am to sail soon myself, trouble with France is brewing and I’m afraid I will be gone for sometime.” Across from him Azure De Winters sighed sadly.

“That is all I can ask, now where have Ashling and Hayden gotten to, we must leave soon. I hope they haven’t gotten lost in the maze again. Last time it took me nearly half an hour to find them.” Azure set her cup down on the table and rose quickly scanning the garden. “I suppose I shall have to go and find them then, it wouldn’t do to miss our ship.”

Captain Rutherford set his own cup down on the table and stood up as well. “I will help you find them Azure, besides I think Hayden will need a friend near by when we separate them.”

“Oh thank you that would be wonderful.” Azure gave him a dazzling smile and picking up the hem of her skirts preceded him down the grassy hill towards the hedge maze.

Hayden sat with his back to the thick hedge and poked at the grass with a stick he had found along the way. He looked over at Ash and smiled, she was making chewing noises, while pretending that her little wooden horse was eating the grass on the path. She looked up at him and smiled her big blue-green eyes twinkling brightly.

“Den, you shouldn’t let your brothers be so mean to you.” She suddenly came over to him and climbed into his lap to smile up at him. “You are bigger than all of them except Ian, you should bash them in the nose, then they will be nice to you.”

Hayden laughed and nodded his head in agreement. His brothers constantly made fun of his friendship with little Ash, and would pick on him mercilessly about it, but he didn’t care. Ash made him laugh whenever they were together, and she had an uncanny knack of cheering him up when he was sad. Her company was worth the teasing he took

“I should, but father said I’m not to fight with them, that I might hurt them.” Hayden replied absent-mindedly brushing grass and dirt off of Ash’s blue dress. She had followed him up a tree earlier and was now covered with stains, and grass clippings, she was utterly fearless, another reason Hayden liked her so.

“Oh, I could bash them for you, your father wouldn’t punish me.” She replied slipping a small arm about his neck, to give him a comforting hug.

Hayden laughed at the thought of his tiny friend punching one of his brother’s in the nose, she was very small for her age, and his brothers were all very big for their ages, all dwarfing her in size, yet Hayden knew she would do it if he asked.

“No, no that is all right Ash, you might hurt your hand, and ladies aren’t suppose to hit people.” Hayden replied and watched her pout and make a mean face.

“I’m not a lady I’m a pirate Captain remember, and pirates can hit anyone they want.” Ashling replied smiling up at Hayden.

Hayden laughed remembering their favorite game was pirates, and whenever they played she was always the fearless ships captain. Ashling pouted again, then turned back to playing with her wooden horse. She stopped to look up at Hayden.

“I don’t want to leave Den, I want to stay here with you. You are my best friend, and I shall have no one to play with in America.”

“I shall miss you too. You are also my best friend.” Hayden sighed and watched her continue to play with her wooden horse, it was her favorite toy, and she was never without it. It was true that Ash was his best friend, in addition to always making him smile, she thought all his ideas were wonderful, and always told him how smart he was, how wonderful he was when no one else in his life did.

She stopped playing again to look up at him, her blue eyes unusually thoughtful and sad for a five year old.

“Den when I get bigger, like Momma will you marry me, and then we will never have to be apart again.” She asked taking Hayden by surprise. Hayden looked down at her and smiled, at eleven, thinking about being married seemed a strange an alien idea and something that was a lifetime away, but being together with Ash forever was appealing.

“Yes Ash, I will marry you.” He replied and watched her smile, then she hugged him, and kissed him on his right cheek. He heard footfalls and looked up to see Ashling’s mother and his father coming down the maze path towards them.

The duchess sighed seeing the stains on her daughter’s blue gown, and her tangled red hair. “Come Ashling it is time to go.” She opened her arms and motioned for Ashling to come to her.

“I do not want to go.” Ashling clung to Hayden, and her mother sighed.

“I know but we must, we can’t miss our ship. Now say goodbye to Hayden. You shall see him again I promise.” The duchess stepped forward and reached to grab Ashling’s arm.

Tears began to run down Ashling’s freckled cheeks and she turned to give Hayden another hug. She stepped back and thrust her wooden horse into his hands. “Don’t forget me Den, promise you won’t forget me.” Then the duchess stepped forward and lifted her into her arms and carried her away, and she began to cry harder, looking back over her mother’s shoulder, and holding her arms out to Hayden.

Hayden stood up, clutching the toy tightly and watched her go, and felt a tear run down his cheek. He watched Ashling go, till her mother rounded the bend in the maze and she was lost from sight, and his life. He dashed away the tears with his sleeve not wanting his father to see him cry. His father laid a hand on his shoulder and gave him a squeeze.

“It shall be all right Hayden. I know you will miss her, but you will see her again one day, and you shall make new friends, boys your age at school this fall.”

Hayden nodded, trying to be brave like his father, but he would miss Ash.

“Yes father.” He let his father lead him from the maze with a heavy heart, clutching the wooden horse tightly to him. He would never forget his tiny friend.

Hayden fidgeted outside his father’s office door, kicking at the Persian rug. He had been home from school, for winter break for three days, and had tried to be on his best behavior, so he wondered why his father had wanted to see him. He couldn’t think of a single thing he had done wrong, and he was becoming extremely nervous waiting for his father. A moment latter the door opened and his father was there looking down at him.

“Hayden, right on time, good lad. Come in.” His father stepped back into his office, then closed the door behind Hayden. He motioned for Hayden to sit down in one of the large wooden chairs before his desk, before sitting down behind his desk.

“Did I do something wrong father? Hayden blurted out, unable to wait any longer, and to his relief he saw his father shook his head.

“No, I couldn’t be prouder of you, your teachers have all sent back glowing reports of your school work, no I called you in on a different matter.” Captain Rutherford paused for a moment and gave Hayden a quick reassuring smile.

“Do you remember the De Winters, you use to play with young Ashling and her brothers two years ago?” Captain Rutherford paused, and Hayden could see his father appeared nervous. Hayden smiled thinking of his little friend Ash, she would be almost seven now, and he wondered if she had grown any taller yet, or if she was still tiny.

“Of course father, are they coming home at last?” Hayden asked hopefully, and saw something strange in his father’s face.

“No, I’m afraid not. I received a letter from a neighbor of theirs. Apparently someone broke into their home. The neighbors heard Duchess De Winter screaming for help, and then the house was set on fire.” Captain Rutherford paused, searching for the easiest way to tell his son his friends were dead.

“Apparently the robber attacked the family and set the home ablaze. I’m sorry, they all died in the fire. I know it is a terrible blow, I will miss the Duchess myself a great deal.”

Hayden couldn’t breathe, Ash was dead? It was impossible for Ash to be dead; she was always so happy and carefree, always so glad to see him. She couldn’t be dead, he had promised to marry her, that they would always be together, suddenly his father’s office seemed very dark and gloomy. Hayden brushed away the tears on his cheek and lurched from the chair, mumbling good-bye to his father, and ran from his father’s office and up the stairs towards his room, hearing his father calling after him. But he didn’t stop; he tore into his room, closing and locking the door after him, and ran to his bookshelf. There on the top shelf with his other treasure’s was Ash’s wooden horse. He took it down and then holding it against him, cast himself onto the bed and let the tears come, not caring that a boy of thirteen wasn’t suppose to cry. Though the exact details of her little face had become blurry over the years, he could still remember her big blue-green eyes, curling red hair and the sound of her laughter. She had been a good friend to him despite the difference in their ages and their sizes, and he would miss her keenly. He closed his eyes and cursed God for taking his friend from him. Hayden closed his eyes and cursed God again, before his grief took over and all he could do was cry.

Hayden looked up to see it was dark and realized he had cried himself to sleep, moonlight filtered into his room providing the only illumination. He looked down at the little wooden horse on his bed, and considered what to do with it. It was all he had left of her, he couldn’t destroy it, nor could he bear to look, it reminded him of his lost friend. He slipped off the bed and crossed to a large wooden chest, he opened it and gently laid the horse inside, then slammed down the lid. He would have to go on without her; he would have to make himself forget her. He would have to make himself forget Ashling De Winter and go on with his life, though he didn’t know how he ever would.

Chapter One

At Sea, off of Valparaiso, Chile

March 28,1814

Stormy ducked as another cannon ball tore through the rigging of the U.S.S Essex, and hit the center sail with a deafening blast, shearing off the top five feet and setting the rigging on fire. She threw her self forward covering her friend Carlos with her body as splinters of wood rained down upon them.When the deadly rain stopped she cautiously sat up, coughing on the thick black smoke rising from the stern and cursed seeing several sailors near her had been badly hurt by the blast and now lay on the deck screaming in pain.

“Carlos hold on.” She reached to her waist and unbuckled her belt, then pulled it off. She looked down and cursed again, Carlos’s leg was bleeding badly. A hunk of wood had been driven deep into his right thigh by one of the canon blasts. She wrapped her belt about his thigh and pulled it tight making a simple tourniquet. Then with gritted teeth grabbed hold of the wood fragment and pulled it from her friends thigh.Carlos cursed in Spanish and bellowed in pain as she tossed the bloody fragment away, then placed her hands over the seeping wound to slow the blood.

“Leave me Ash, save your self.” He mumbled and grabbed her left arm hard.

“Like hell I will, I didn’t save you from being hung just to have you give up on me now. Where going to get out of this. Then were going home to Portsmouth, and are going to build our ship, and then we are going to go to St.Croix and sit in the sun and drink rum and eat lobsters all day.” There was another deafening boom as another volley of cannons from the H.M.S Phoebe tore apart the remains of their top sail and splintered part of the forecastle. Showering them and the deck with burning sail fragments and more pieces of wood.

There were more shouts and curses about her as the second fire of the day erupted below decks and frightened sailors screamed that the powder magazine was in jeopardy.

Stormy mumbled another curse and spotting a friend, ran in a half crouch across the deck to grab the arm of an older sea man, and drag him over to the gunwale were she had Carlos. The older man nodded his thanks, as Stormy made a face and pulled off her bandanna to wrap it about a deep, bloody gash in the man’s left forearm.

“Thank you master Weathers.” The older seaman said.

“Your welcome Hornsby.” Stormy pushed her long bangs from her face and looked about for anyone else she could render aid to. She, Carlos and Hornsby had all signed on to the U.S.S Essex together, a little over a year ago to fight for America, in what was suppose to be a quick war. Things had been going well until the Essex had been damaged in a storm, now two British ships had them trapped and were blasting them apart.

“I think you need to abandon ship lad, if the British get a hold of you.” Sea man Hornsby shook his head, not liking the thought of what would happen to his young friend if they were boarded and captured. Hornsby and Carlos were the only people on board who knew she was a woman, if they were captured the impresment gang would likely rape and torture her.

“I’m not leaving you and Carlos behind. Besides I’ve never abandoned a ship in my life.” Stormy protested as another barrage deafened them all, and tore more of the forecastle apart, in a shower of wood. She threw herself over Carlos again as more chunks of wood rained down upon them. Then the deck shuddered under them as the gunners of the Essex returned fire.

When the roars and explosions had settled Stormy pushed herself up and shook herself like a dog, shedding splinters of wood and charred fragments of rope.

“Hornsby stay here with Carlos, I’m going to see if any one else needs help.” She saw Hornsby nod yes, his dark eyes full of concern. Stormy had signed on to the Essex as a navigator’s aid and sail boy. Since they were in the middle of a pitched battle there was little for her to do but keep her head low and try to lend aid were she could.

Several feet away she spotted a dark haired sea man she knew, lying face down on the deck. Staying low she ran to his side and gave him a hard shake. To her relief she saw him begin to stir and she helped him to his knees, seeing a nasty gash to his forehead.

“You okay Edwards?” She shouted over another barrage from the Phoebe. They couldn’t take much more of this, the Essex would be reduced to kindling wood soon.

“Yes, thank you boy.” Edwards replied letting her guide him to the gunwale where Carlos and Hornsby were taking shelter.

Stormy nodded and looked about torn by what to do. The flames below deck were getting worse, and thick black smoke was now covering half the deck. She considered going to help but she’d likely only get in the way, and there would be no one to see to Carlos. To make matters worse the sun was going down, soon it would be too dark to see if they did abandon ship. It was miles to shore, and they’d have to swim if they did abandon ship, the H.M.S. Cherub had neatly and deliberately blown up all their long boats in one of the opening volleys.

She saw the lieutenant stagger out of the aft castle and take stock of the devastation about him, his handsome face pale. There was another set of deafening retorts as both the Phoebe and the Cherub fired at once.

“ Lieutenant look out she shouted.” Leaping up she crossed the debris covered deck in a flash and tackled him about the waist as the duel barrage tore off sections of the fore and aft sails, and rained down more sections of burning wood and sail. Beneath them the deck shuddered again as the Essex returned fire and she rolled off the Lieutenant, shaking more junks of wood off her jacket and head.

“Thank you sea man Weathers.” The Lieutenant lurched to his feet, and looked down the deck seeing more flames beginning to erupt.

“Your welcome sir.” She replied snapping off a quick salute.

The lieutenant nodded and returned the salute. “Weathers I’m ordering you to abandon ship. Get as many of the injured over the side as you can and try to get them to shore.”

“Sir?” She demanded in confusion, the lieutenant reached down and gave her shoulder a squeeze. Because of her small size and lack of facial hair the entire crew thought she was a boy of fourteen, who had lied about his age to serve, something she’d encouraged as it kept people from asking too many questions.

“You’re a good sailor Weathers but we have no hope of winning, and when we are boarded the British will either imprison or impress the crew. The Captain doesn’t want that to happen.” The lieutenant reached inside his dark jacket and pulled out a heavy pouch and handed it to her.

“It’s a few hundred dollars and a letter from the Captain to the Naval office in Washington. Use the money to get yourself and asmany of the crew as possible home. Do you understand Weathers?” The lieutenant asked as another barrage tore apart the rest of the fore sail.

“Yes sir.” She replied and snapped off another salute then turned and ran back to where Hornsby, Edwards and Carlos lay against the gunwale.

“We have been ordered to abandon ship.” She said keeping her head low and saw the others nod yes.

“ Well never make the swim.” Edwards protested nodding with his head over the side at the distant shore line.

“I have an idea, we get some empty barrels, rum or powder. The smaller ones, and use the fragments of rigging and rope and make them into floats. We can stuff our shoes and clothes inside and then use them to keep us up.” She saw the others nod in understanding. “ Once we hit the water we lash ourselves together, and we stay together no matter what, agreed.”

“Aye agreed, it just may work boy.” Edwards said. “Hornsby you and me, well get the barrels Weathers, you get the rope.”

“ Agreed, if you can get your hands on some water skins bring them too, and your effects.” Stormy saw the man nod yes, then tap Hornsby on the shoulder and the two of them headed aft as the word to abandon ship began to spread.

“You hold on Carlos I’m getting us both out of here.” She saw him nod his head, his handsome face contorted in pain.

By the time she’d collected a pile of netting and lengths of rope, Edwards and Hornsby had returned, and the sun was setting quickly. Edwards slid to a stop before her as another barrage from the Phoebe blasted apart the last of the fore sail and it collapsed backwards onto the deck with a deafening screech and a bang dragging rigging with it. He cursed and dropped two foot high barrels before her, and then dropped to the deck as around them desperate sailors began jumping over the side to take their chances in the water.

She nodded her thanks and pulling her belt knife from her waist used it to pry the lid off the rum cask Edward had brought her. She looked up to see Hornsby carrying more casks, with several water skins looped about his neck. He dropped to the deck beside her and began following her example.

Once the end was off the cask, she pulled off her shoes and hose stuffing them in the cask, then the lieutenants pouch and her jacket followed. She crammed everything down and then snapped the end back on. Taking a section of rigging she wrapped it about the cask and secured it with a length of rope. The others had done the same, she turned and pulled off Carlos’s shoes and socks for him, and dropped them in the cask for him. He nodded his thanks as he stuffed his jacket inside and pounded the lid back into place.

She held him secure it with netting and rope, trying to ignore the constant pounding of the British canons. Their nearly constant barrages were reducing the ship to kindling about them. When his cask was finished she looked up at the others.

“Are we ready?” She shouted as she stood up and tied length of rope about Carlos’s waist, then secured it quickly to his cask.

“Aye” Edwards growled and Hornsby simply nodded.

“Remember once you hit the water find each other, we stay together.” She shouted over the din of battle and then reached down to drag Carlos to his feet as Edwards lept over the side, followed by Hornsby.

“ Your mad, you know that?” He said as he let her help him balance on the side of the ship.

“ Aye, mad as a hatter, I’d have to be to have let you talk me into joining the flaming navy. You said come on Ashling it will be an adventure, it will be exciting. If this is exciting I can live with out it.” She said and gave him a grin. “Now jump as far out as you can, the cask will keep you up. I’ll find you as fast as I can and tie us together, then I can tow us both to shore.”

“What do we do once we make it to shore Stormy, we will be in Chile? How will we get home?” He shouted as another barrage from the Phoebe tore off a section of the rear castle and showered them both with fragments of wood.

“You just leave it to me. A year from now we’ll have our ship and we’ll be our own masters, now over you go.”

Carlos gave her a grin wanting to believe her. “I love you Stormy.” He whispered in her ear then lept over the side, his caskheld tightly in his arms. Stormy leaned down and saw him hit the water cleanly, and manage to grab hold of his make shift float. She threw her legs over the side and wrapped her arms about her own cask. If she made it out of this alive she’d spend the rest of her days doing nothing more exciting than sailing her schooner and watching her sugar cane grow at Azure’s Cove. Then she lept out and away from the ship as the Cherub and the Phoebe fired as one taking down what was left of the sails, in a ear splitting boom.